Dusk's Divide Poem by Gary Bernard

"Dusk's Divide"
With the arrival of dusk, another day slips into history. The cold of night descends, and the city streets pulse with renewed energy.
As the sun sets, a divide is drawn. Shutters close over shop windows, while office lights dim, their occupants eager to leave the workday behind.
Streetlights ignite, casting a soft, golden hue. People hurry by, clutching their coats against the chill. Some seek the warmth of cozy cafes and inviting pubs, offering refuge and connection.
Inside these 'third places, ' friends converge over steaming mugs or pints, their laughter and tales mingling in the air. The scent of freshly brewed coffee mingles with the aroma of baked goods, creating a sanctuary from the cold, a sense of belonging that makes one feel truly at home.
Outside, the divide deepens. A lone figure pauses, gazing through the window at the warmth and camaraderie within. Uninvited, they pull their coat tighter and move on, their footsteps echoing in the quiet night.
For some, dusk brings togetherness and warmth, where connections are forged and memories made. For others, it signifies solitude, a reminder of the isolation that shadows their steps.
The contrast is stark, the warmth inside so close, yet the chill of loneliness remains. Dusk's divide captures the essence of human experience— unity and separation, warmth and cold, highlighting the unseen lines that divide our lives as day surrenders to night.